5* Play Notre Dame (7:30 ET):  Typically, with the public feeling that "Notre Dame is back" and the history of upsets in this storied rivalry, my natural lean would be to the visiting Wolverines. However, this year, I simply think the Irish are that much better.  Don't be fooled by Michigan's 63-13 win over UMass, a nothing opponent, last Saturday.  They were absolutely dominated in the opener by Alabama on the National TV stage and the following week barely outgained Air Force 422-417 in a narrow 31-25 victory at "The Big House." 

Michigan is far too reliant on QB Denard Robinson, who accounted for virtually every yard the team had vs. Air Force.  In fact, he actually had more yards than the team! Last week vs. UMass, "Shoelace" had another near 400 yds of total offense, but that was against a far weaker class of opponent.  Here, he faces a Notre Dame team that just put forth a tremendous defensive effort against another Big 10 team (on the road), Michigan State, who I personally have rated higher than Michigan.  They allowed the Spartans to gain only 50 yds rushing (on 25 carries) and the L2 weeks have seen the Irish D allow only 140 total rush yds on 55 carries (2.5 YPC). 

At the risk of sounding completely subjective, the Big 10 is weak this year.  Really weak.  Notre Dame has already beaten Purdue and Michigan State, but this one likely means more considering they have lost three years in a row to the Wolverines by a combined 12 points (lost by 4 all three years).  The Irish have not covered against Michigan as a favorite in over 20 years!

They put that streak to an end under the bright lights at South Bend Saturday night.  5* Notre Dame.